Refurbished school for paediatric patients bridges critical learning gaps
- Beth Amato - FHS Communications
16 April 2024, Johannesburg – The Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital School officially opened in its new location today, marking a key milestone in the partnership between Wits University and the academic hospital. The school caters for all learners in need of longer-term and chronic treatment for various paediatric conditions. Learners between Grades R and 12 are taught.
“Sick children have multiple needs, and it’s our duty to ensure that they don’t miss out on any schooling. Everyone deserves the right to be educated and to contribute meaningfully to their communities as adults,” said Professor Shabir Madhi, Dean of the Wits Faculty of Health Sciences.
Professor Madhi noted that the previous school building will be used as a campus for medical students and to grow the university’s teaching and learning footprint at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital.
Figure 1: Professor Shabir Madhi at the opening of the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital School
The school district representative for Johannesburg Central, Ronica Ramdath, said that often sick children forfeit their education, which can be mitigated through the correct teaching approach and through supportive facilities. “When I first came to the school some years back, I was amazed at the teachers’ dedication. I remember seeing a teacher load all their educational resources in a bag and walk to the paediatric ward to teach sick children. Today, these children all benefit from such support,” she said.
Figure 2: School district representative, Ms Ronica Ramdath, at the School's opening
The Wits Faculty of Health Sciences heads of schools were present, together with hospital and teaching representatives.
Meanwhile, Professor Madhi said that the university’s wifi is available at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, underpinning Wits’ commitment to invest in a world-class academic hospital facility. “We are very proud of our footprint at the hospital and hope to continue to add value through research and clinical work,” he said.
Figure 3: The old school building which had been built on asbestos. The decision to move the school was an important health consideration too.
Figure 4: Wits academics attending the opening of the school
Figure 5: The new school buildings
Figure 6: One of the classrooms. The school caters for paediatric patients in Grades R through to Grade 12